Wash bottles

Abstract: A wash bottle (10) for dispensing solvent comprises a squeezable plastics container (12) with a cap (16). A syphon tube (36) extends from near the bottom of the container to a nozzle (20) extending through the cap. As a continuation of the syphon tube is a valve body (34), whereby pressure above the solvent can be relieved and which closes when the bottle is squeezed for solvent to be dispensed via the syphon tube and nozzle.

Description: This invention concerns improvements in and relating to wash bottles. The use of volatile solvents, such as acetone, has long been made an easy and everyday task by the advent of the plastic wash bottle. Such wash bottles have a squeezable container with a syphon tube from near the bottom of the container to transfer liquid through a nozzle connected to the syphon tube when the bottle is squeezed. However, such wash bottles with leak proof screw caps drip volatile solvents particularly in warm rooms due to build up of vapour pressure within the bottle. Squeezable bottles having a valve in the cap of the bottle to reduce the pressure build up therein are known, for example, see US-A-4286735 which represents the prior art as referred to in the preamble of claim 1. An object of this invention is to provide an improved wash bottle that substantially eliminates undesired internal pressures and drip formation. According to this invention there is provided a wash bottle comprising a squeezable plastics container, a syphon tube within the container and leading to a nozzle extending out of the container, a a valve body having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end the nozzle communicating with the first end of the body and the syphon tube extending from the second end of the valve body, a valve chamber intermediate the ends of the valve body and extending laterally from one side thereof, the valve chamber having a wall forming a main part having a floor and containing a ball having a radius characterized by the valve chamber having an opening at one end converging towards and communicating with the valve body and an opening at its other end communicating with the container, each opening having a central axis spaced from the floor of the main part by distance greater than the radius of the ball, whereby the ball sits on the floor of the valve chamber to allow pressure equalisation above liquid in the container in its normal state and closes the opening to the valve body when the bottle is squeezed to urge liquid through the syphon tube. The aperture may have a periphery shaped to receive the ball. Thus, when the bottle is squeezed, the pressure of gases in the bottle will close the valve so that the liquid will be dispensed from the nozzle of the bottle. When the wash bottle is not in use, the valve will remain open so that any build up of vapour pressure in the bottle can be vented through the valve and the nozzle of the bottle. Thus, vapour pressure build up may be avoided without allowing liquid to pass, so that dripping can be avoided. The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, in which:- Figure 1 is a section through a wash bottle; and Figure 2 is a section through detail of the wash bottle of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a section through the same detail of the wash bottle of Figure 1 when the bottle is being squeezed; and Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the invention. Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, a wash bottle 10 containing a liquid, comprises a squeezable plastics container 12 having neck 14 and a cap 16 which is a screw fit onto the neck 14. The cap 16 has an opening 18 in its top surface to accommodate a nozzle 20. The nozzle 20 comprises a tube 24 bent at 26 so that when the bottle is upright, the outlet end 28 of the tube points slightly downwards. The tube 24 converges to form the narrower outlet end 28. Near its other end the tube 24 has a stepped circular flange 30 on its outer surface. The flange 30 locates in the opening 18 of the cap 16 with its outer stepped portion 32 trapped between the cap and the neck of the bottle. The nozzle 20 is connected at its end in the bottle to a valve body 34 which is in turn connected to a syphon tube 36, whereby when the bottle is squeezed liquid in the bottle is forced through the syphon tube 36, the valve body 34 and the nozzle 20 out of the bottle. The valve body 34 has a hole 38 with divergent sides 50 in its side wall leading to a valve chamber 40 of generally circular section. The divergent sides 50 provide a valve seat for a ball 46 in the valve chamber 40. The valve chamber 40 has a snap-fit cover 42 on its outer end and the cover 42 has an opening 44 therein. When the bottle is squeezed (see Figure 3), the ball 46 is urged into the valve seat 50 by the pressure of gases in the bottle. The pressure also forces the liquid in the container up the syphon tube 36, through the valve body 34 and out through the nozzle 20. When squeezing pressure on the bottle is released, the ball 46 unseats from the valve seat 50 leaving a passageway through the valve chamber 40 via hole 38 and opening 44 (see Figure 2), so that pressure within the bottle above liquid therein can equalise with atmospheric pressure. Thus, low pressure vapours can escape through the nozzle without allowing liquid to pass, preventing dripping while the bottle is not in use. Referring to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings an alternative wash bottle 10' is shown. Like parts to the wash bottle of Figures 1 to 3 have been given the same reference numerals and will not be described again. Operation of the wash bottle 10' is the same as for bottle 10 and again will not be described. The difference between the wash bottles 10 and 10' resides in the form of the cap and nozzle arrangement. The wash bottle 10' has a wider neck 14' than the neck of the bottle 10 and instead of having a two-piece cap and nozzle, the cap and nozzle (16', 20') are formed in one piece. The cap part 16' has an inner depending ring 52 to fit inside the neck 14' of the bottle 12' to assist sealing of the cap on the neck.

Claims: A wash bottle (10) comprising a squeezable plastics container (12), a syphon tube (36) within the container leading to a nozzle (20) extending out of the container, a valve body (34) having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end, the nozzle communicating with the first end of the valve body and the syphon tube extending from the second end of the valve body, a valve chamber (40) intermediate ends of the valve body extending laterally from one side thereof, the valve chamber having a wall forming a main part having a floor and containing a ball (46) having a radius characterized in that the valve chamber has an opening (38) at one end converging towards and communicating with the valve body and an opening (44) at its other end communicating with the container, each opening having a central axis spaced from the floor of the main part by a distance greater than the radius of the ball, whereby the ball sits on the floor of the valve chamber to allow pressure equalisation above liquid in the container in its normal state and closes the opening to the valve body when the bottle is squeezed to urge liquid through the syphon tube. A wash bottle as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the valve chamber has a snap-on cover forming its said one end.

Inventors: FISHER LUKE, FISHER, LUKE
Applicants: BIBBY STERILIN LTD, BIBBY STERILIN LIMITED
Application year: 1994
Main classification: B05B11
IPC codes: B01L3, B65D47, B65D83, B05B11